Veteran actor Sharmila Tagore’s comments on Vande Mataram have drawn a sharp reaction from actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut. In a recent interview, Sharmila suggested that only the first two stanzas of the national song should be performed, arguing that the later verses contain references to Hindu deities that could pose difficulties for people who follow monotheistic faiths.
Her remarks came amid an ongoing political dispute over the rendition of Vande Mataram, with the BJP and Congress taking different positions on which portions of the song should be performed at public and party events.
What did Sharmila Tagore say?
In an interview with news agency IANS, Sharmila Tagore pointed out that India consists of people from different religious backgrounds, including those who believe in a single God. She explained that some of the later verses of Vande Mataram name Hindu deities, which, in her view, could make them difficult for followers of monotheistic religions to recite.
“My point of view is that there are many religious people who believe in one single God, not many Gods,” Sharmila said.
She specifically mentioned references to deities such as Kali and Durga in the song. “It is difficult for those who believe in one religion to say, ‘Vande Kali, Vande Durga’,” she said. Sharmila added that when people of different religions are taken into consideration, she felt the first two stanzas were “very good”.
Her comments were therefore not a rejection of Vande Mataram as a whole. Instead, she advocated using the first two stanzas and omitting the later verses containing references to Hindu deities.
Why did Kangana Ranaut disagree?
Kangana Ranaut strongly challenged Sharmila’s interpretation. Sharing a video of the veteran actor’s interview on her Instagram Stories, Kangana said she respected Sharmila’s right to have reservations but questioned her interpretation of the song from an artistic perspective.
Kangana argued that poetry and art frequently rely on symbolism, metaphors and imagery and should not always be understood as literal religious statements.
According to Kangana, Vande Mataram embodies the spirit of India’s freedom struggle, while Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s reference to Shakti should be viewed as a representation of strength and awakening. She said she was “shocked as an artist” by what she considered a restrictive reading of poetry and art. She maintained that viewing Vande Mataram purely through the lens of religious practice ignores the broader symbolism behind the composition.
She also cited Swami Vivekananda’s descriptions of youth as possessing strength and energy, arguing that such references represent power and Shakti rather than literal descriptions.
Kangana concluded her post by asking Sharmila to “come out of Hindu-Muslim mindset”. At the same time, she maintained an affectionate tone towards the veteran actor, saying she loved her and would happily receive one of Sharmila’s “crushing” hugs.
As a BJP MP, Kangana’s comments also come amid the party’s broader position on Vande Mataram. The BJP has strongly criticised the Congress for limiting its rendition to the first two stanzas. The Centre has also issued guidelines requiring Vande Mataram to be sung or played at designated government functions.
What is the controversy over the first two stanzas?
The dispute surrounding the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram has historical roots. Written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, the song was first published in the literary journal Bangadarshan on November 7, 1875. It was later included in his 1882 novel Anandamath. While the original composition contained two stanzas, the version included in the novel featured additional verses.
The song went on to become an important part of India’s freedom movement and was first performed at a Congress session in 1896 by Rabindranath Tagore. However, certain imagery in the song and its connection with Anandamath later became controversial. Some Muslim leaders and sections of the Muslim community objected to references to Hindu deities and the depiction of the motherland in a goddess-like form.
The issue became increasingly contentious within the Congress during the 1930s. There were concerns that performing the complete song could alienate Muslims at a time when the freedom movement was attempting to preserve unity.
In 1937, Congress leaders ultimately decided that only the first two stanzas would be used at political gatherings. Rabindranath Tagore, who had performed Vande Mataram at the 1896 Congress session, was consulted and supported the decision to use the first two stanzas.
That historical decision continues to inform the Congress’s current position.
Why has the issue resurfaced?
The controversy gained renewed momentum after the 80th Independence Day celebrations, when the complete version of Vande Mataram was performed at the Red Fort on August 15. The performance reignited discussions over which portions of the song should be used at official and political events.
The Congress Working Committee has reiterated its decision to use only the first two stanzas at party programmes, maintaining that the approach is consistent with the party’s 1937 position. The BJP, meanwhile, has accused the Congress of showing disrespect towards the national song. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has defended the party’s stance.
Sharmila Tagore’s comments have now added another layer to the debate, while Kangana Ranaut’s response has extended the disagreement into the world of cinema and entertainment.
Sharmila Tagore’s connection with Rabindranath Tagore
Sharmila Tagore also has a family connection with Rabindranath Tagore. Through her mother’s side, her maternal grandmother Latika Tagore was the granddaughter of Dwijendranath Tagore, Rabindranath Tagore’s eldest brother. She is also connected to the Tagore family through her father’s side.
The connection is noteworthy because of Rabindranath Tagore’s own association with Vande Mataram. He composed its tune, performed it at the 1896 Congress session and later supported the use of only its first two stanzas amid concerns surrounding its religious imagery.
The differing opinions expressed by Sharmila Tagore and Kangana Ranaut have consequently added another chapter to the longstanding debate surrounding Vande Mataram, particularly its religious references and the artistic symbolism behind the song.
